A Light that Shines the Brightest
Chapter 1
A Cozy Evening Alone?
A gentle snow was falling, creating a surprisingly calm atmosphere in the normally chaotic house. No better time than a Friday evening as well, at least for our favorite brother Lincoln Loud. He had big plans for tonight, and with the house mostly to himself, it was everything a ten-year-old boy could possibly want. His favorite TV channel had recently revived an old Friday Night programming block, packed with premieres for all of their hit TV shows, and promotions would air throughout the week to hype it up. ARGGH! has recently moved its' episode premieres from Sunday night to this block in order to increase viewership, and boy did it work! It was also a big perk for Lincoln, given that his sisters wanted to watch their premieres on Sunday evenings as well, and with ARGGH! and the rest moved away from those competition-packed hours, he'd no longer have to worry about setting up advanced tactics to keep the TV free. Lincoln was getting hyped for the new episodes, but in the meantime, relaxed in his room with a cup of hot cocoa and the newest Ace Savvy comic book he had picked up earlier that day. It took a long trudge through the snow to grab it but the mission proved a success!
Truth be told, Lincoln really needed this distraction from his life right now, a pick me up of fun activities and non-stop action. A couple of days prior his on-and-off relationship with the feisty girl Ronnie Anne, one that had some meaningful highs and very hurtful lows (in multiple senses), had finally been broken off. There was a growing pile of disagreements that the two just couldn't work out, and Ronnie's move to Great Lakes City was the final nail in the coffin. Unlike their respective older siblings (though Bobby being able to drive himself back to Royal Woods certainly helped), the two weren't as well-equipped to handle a long-distance relationship, even if it was just a few hours. Plus she tended to get very physical if things got heated and Lincoln had to finally put his foot down on that. Nonetheless, he missed having a girl to share his love with, and in an emotional stupor, asked his classmate and friend Stella out not long after. While she found it awkward, she politely declined, and agreed to forget about the incident once Lincoln had calmed down. As all of his peers began to have long-lasting and healthy relationships, even some of the stranger ones like lanky old Rusty Spokes, he began to feel left out. He knew he always had the love of his wonderful sisters, along with his best buddy Clyde by his side, but he still felt like something was... missing.
Nonetheless, he had an agenda for tonight and he was going to stick to it, and get his mind off of the dramas of life. That's what escapist entertainment was for, after all! As his siblings began leaving the house one by one, he took a "role call" in his head of their current activities. His youngest sister Lily was too young to go out on the town and was sleeping in her crib. She was always easy, and it didn't take much to please her. Lisa was away at a TSA States competition for the weekend, surprisingly enough not having been banned after an experiment gone wrong at Regionals. Lana and Lola were sleeping over at their friend's house for the night. Lincoln always enjoyed watching the two of their despite their frequent disagreements, though at the same time a little break was a nice change of pace. Lynn was at an overnight of her own with her hockey team, using the sleepover as a "get hyped" event for their big game the next day (so jealous). The two star performers Luan and Luna were out giving their usual shows, and Leni was helping out at the mall. Meanwhile Lori was planning on going to a concert with Bobby...if she hadn't been stuck with babysitting duties at the last second.
"Oh come on, mom, I've been looking forward to this concert for weeks! Lincoln can handle this by himself, please reconsider!" Lori pleaded, distressed that her plans had been burned away at the last minute. "Bobby's waiting for me!"
"I know, but none of his older siblings aside from you were available, you should've told us this sooner. Bobby can wait, we need you to hold down the fort." Rita said in response, not falling to her daughter's desperation. "Besides, your father's had a stressful week at the restaurant, and we need this night on the town so that he can unwind and relax."
"You BET I do! I can't wait to get up there and sing me some KA-RE-O-KE! YEAHAHA!" Lynn Sr. explained in a voice of pure excitement and elation as he danced down the stairs with good timing, sporting a rather gaudy disco suit, complete with shiny medallion. "Alrighty, honey, let's go! Lori, you and Lincoln keep things running as always. We're counting on you!"
"Alright alright, you two have fun, eheheh..." Lori said, sounding almost dejected as the front door closed, the happy parental pair excitedly making their way to Vanzilla. With the inheritance money the Loud family periodically received from their Duke Regent Angus over in Scotland, along with the extra money Lynn's Kitchen was bringing in, there was more money to go around for the family. This allowed Lynn and Rita more time to spend together outside of the house, reliving their memories from their college days. It's safe to say that the days of the giant jug of change were over!
As that exchange was going on, Lincoln walked down the hall, knocking on the tall door in front of the stairs. Summoning the one sister not accounted for on his mental role call: his dearest sister Lucy. He had a strong bond with all of his younger sisters but Lucy especially. With a gentle smile, Lucy opened up the door to greet her brother. Given how cold a Michigan winter could be her outfit was too light and breezy to keep her warm. So she opted to wearing a pair of black sweatpants and a turtleneck sweater with a cute Halloween pumpkin on it. It was cozy and Lincoln always found it cute, so Lucy decided to make it one of her go-to winter outfits.
"Hey, Luce! It's 6:30, our shows are starting soon. Let's get ready!" Lincoln said excitedly, in anticipation of the new episodes.
"Hey Lincoln...yes, let's...!" She said in her usual tone, but with a hint of excitement of her own, accompanied by a gentle blush. She followed her older brother down the stairs to the living room couch.
Lincoln and Lucy watched the block together every Friday, it was something both of them always looked forward to throughout the week! Lincoln and Clyde got Lucy hooked on AARGH! via their mutual interest in ghosts, and Lucy gently enjoyed the other shows alongside it, and really loved to see her dear brother so excited. She also stuck around due to the "Creatures of the Night" block that came on afterward, which Lincoln always watched alongside her. Vampires of Melencholia began to premiere its new episodes here, and while Lincoln wasn't into the more mushy drama elements, he really enjoyed the action-based Sorcerer for Hire spinoff that took place in the same universe, which in turn gave him an appreciation for the parent show's worldbuilding and solidified the Friday Evening TV as a bonding activity for them. And like many things, Lincoln wouldn't trade it for the world!
As the two got seated on the sofa, Lori's expression of dread suddenly turned to delight, as a thought came into her head.
"I have an ideeeeeeaaaaaaa~!" She exclaimed, before turning towards the couch, her expression looking almost bug-eyed. "LINCOLN!"
"Wh-What?! Lori, don't scare me like that!" Lincoln said with shock, Lucy gently giggling next to him. She always found it rather cute when her brother was startled.
Lori simply laughed and crossed her arms. "Quick, what time do mom and dad get home?!"
"They left me some money and instructions, said around midnight if there aren't any delays." Lincoln stated, recalling the information their parents had given him a few hours prior.
"That's PERFECT!" Lori exclaimed, before excitedly running up to her room. One could hear muffled sounds of her rummaging through her closet, along with the loud somewhat shrill noise of a hair dryer. Normally Lori didn't like to rush her preparations but she was a determined girl, and thus strategic sacrifices had to be made. After about fifteen minutes of this she descended the stairs, wearing what looked to be a stylish rave outfit with fishnet sleeves. "So, how do I look~?" She said, posing like a model, a habit she no doubt picked up from Leni.
"You look good! But what are you doing? You heard mom and dad, you're supposed to stay here and watch the house with me tonight!" Lincoln said, out of concern for his older sister's disobedience.
"I know, but it's just the two of you and Lily, you'll be fine!" Lori said with a wink as she headed towards the front door. Lucy suddenly became very flustered at the thought, clearly something was on her mind.
"B-But mom and dad are going to KILL you if they find out!" Lincoln said, trying to keep his older sister from potentially making a big mistake.
"Don't worry, Linc~ Like you said, they won't be back until midnight. We'll have plenty of time, and we'll be back before you know it!" Lori said, confidently trying to reassure her younger brother. The two definitely grew closer over the past year or so, often working together to keep things running when the Loud parents were away. Lori's authority and Lincoln's leadership skills worked as a powerful combo, and the eldest Loud sibling really appreciated her brother's ability to keep the family together. So Lori knew that things were in good hands. Soon, a horn could be heard outside, making Lori's eyes beam with joy.
"Oh my god, it's Bobby with his new car! Handing the controls over to you, Linc, I'll see you later!" She said , happily dancing out the front door. "Boo Boo Bear~! Oh, it's so SHINY!" could be heard, muffled by the door and distance that lay between them. The two drove off, leaving Lincoln and Lucy alone in the living room together.
Lincoln then turned to his sister with a smile. "So, Luce, shall we get started? I can go order pizza for us before the shows start!"
Lucy didn't respond, still red like a tomato as big thoughts, both nervous and blissful, filled her head. Something was clearly up.
"...Luce, are you okay?" He said, his face showing clear concern. After a moment, she got up from the couch and looked at the floor. "I just need to lay down for a bit, I-I'll be right back." She said, flustered as she ran up the stairs and to her room, closing the door behind her.
Lucy had been waiting for a time like this for awhile, but didn't expect it to come so soon. Truth be told, she had been in love with her brother for a few years at that point and always shared a close bond with him. She knew it was unnatural and technically illegal, but forbidden love was always a part of her, and for awhile found ways to outlet her affections for him in other ways. One may consider all of the moments she showed romantic attraction towards the vampire Edwin, such as her mock wedding with him in the basement, or her make-out sessions with the bust she kept of him, which Lincoln and Clyde had ended up catching on camera. There was also Adolphus Lupus, the protagonist from another series, The Werewolf Diaries, and while she initially felt like she was "cheating" on Edwin, she realized that the two were both aspects of the one she loved most (like Akatosh or Auriel, for those familiar with Aedric deities), her dearest Lincoln Loud, and exemplified characteristic about him of which she loved most.
Edwin, while considered by most to be an ugly creature of the night or merely a rather lanky dork (depending on the media), was gorgeous and handsome to Lucy, Similar to how she felt about Lincoln. Most saw Lincoln as a weird and funny-looking kid with nothing too notable about him, weird and just plain "ordinary". But Lucy saw him as a beautiful man, from his sweet round eyes to his gleaming chipped tooth and snow white hair. A handsome devil! Meanwhile our dear werewolf exemplified much of what she loved about Lincoln's personality. Lupus was kind and crafty despite his rough exterior, and despite not being the alpha he was always the one who could keep the pack together in times of internal conflict and crisis, and his wisdom was always looked to by their leaders. He would even risk everything to protect those he loved most, even the beautiful blonde doe that had won his warm, tender heart. He did all of this despite risking ostracization from his own pack for who he chose as his lover. Lincoln was always her first line of defense and sworn protector to Lucy no matter what, from kids picking on her to dangerous and potentially life-threatening situations. It all left an impact on the young goth girl, and with both characters united by their aspects of forbidden love, Lucy clung to them, as it was the closest she could have for now, to live out her fantasies without risk.
Alongside this, Lucy attempted two "normal" relationships with other boys in order to curb her urges a bit. The first was with a boy named Rocky, younger brother to Lincoln's friend Rusty Spokes. Rocky liked Lucy for who she was, and while she did see some of Lincoln's qualities in him, the relationship was short-lived. Things ended up not working out, and Rusty wouldn't even mention him when she inquired. it was honestly very spooky, and while she liked spooky this was just unsettling. A few months later a similar situation would happen with a boy named Silas, a goth just like her that would often hang out in the Royal Woods cemetery. She gave him the offer to join her Junior Mortician's Club, and while he considered it, he'd ultimately not take up her offer, disappearing much in the same way Rocky did. But no matter how often this could happen, she knew her loving and dependable big brother would always be there to comfort her. To hold her close and give her a shoulder to cry on, or listen intently as she poured out her emotions onto the pages of her notebook. It proved to her that she and Lincoln were meant to be, and it only further intensified her love for him.
Lucy was unsure of how to go about her confession, the time had come before she had the chance to decide. She wanted the two of them to be alone together for this, and she knew she might not get another opportunity for awhile. Furthermore, the recency of the Ronnie Anne situation put Lincoln in a state of desire, so there was no better time like the present. Waiting was not an option. She had a dream a week back about attempting a confession with more people home, only to be caught by their mother. She wanted to avoid this, but for now her mind was racing, wanting to formulate the right method before their shows started and Lincoln would be too absorbed to notice. With 20 minutes left on the clock she decided to settle on what she did best: poetry. Taking a seat at her desk, she pulled out her notebook and let her feelings pour onto the page.
Meanwhile, Lincoln was downstairs customizing a pair of pizzas for them online, unaware of the bombshell that was about to drop.
Author's note: If you've read this, thanks a ton! This is my first fanfiction and I hope it has been a good read so far! I've recently began shipping Lucycoln and been reading loads of other fanfiction for it, so they've been a major inspiration, especially Comicsfan7314's Caught in the Act. I'm also making periodic nods to other Lucycoln fanfiction during the story, so see if you can spot the references! Furthermore, wanted to expand upon Lucy's fictional crushes and how they can go hand in hand with the ship rather than conflict with it.
I've only recently started watching the show and I'm in mid Season 2, so I apologize if I've gotten any details wrong or made any continuity errors!